Dogs and cats, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Balboa Park (Presidents Way at Pan American Way). Sponsored by FOCAS.

See listing information under Pet Events.

PET OF THE WEEK

Six-year-old Mitzi is a black-and-white, short-haired female Manx, sweet and loving, but also sometimes a bit shy. Mitzi has some allergies to certain foods and must be on a strict diet. Mitzi needs pet parents who will be dedicated to making sure she gets the special diet and attention she needs to keep her allergies in check. Mitzi is good with other cats and probably wouldn't mind having a cat friend or two. Mitzi's adoption fee is $75, which includes spay, a certificate for a free veterinary exam and more. Meet her at the San Diego Humane Society, 5500 Gaines St. Open daily. Call (619) 299-7012 for more information.

PET EVENTS

SATURDAY: The County Department of Animal Services is having a rabies vaccination, dog licensing and microchip clinic from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave., Solana Beach. All dog license late fees are waived. Rabies shot is $5 and implant and registration of the microchip is $20. All dogs must be on a leash and cats in carriers. Information: www.sddac.com/licensing.html.

The Escondido Humane Society is offering residents of Escondido and San Marcos a convenient and affordable way to vaccinate and license dogs during its "Low Cost Licensing and Rabies Clinics." This week's clinic will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway. Vaccinations are available for $6, and all late licensing fees will be waived. Information: (760) 888-BARK or
www.escondidohumanesociety.org.

Wildlife Assist, an emergency response organization for wildlife in trouble, will have a volunteer orientation at 2 p.m. at the Clairemont Community Service Center, 4731 Clairemont Drive (behind Vons), San Diego. Information: (619) 921-6044 or www.wildlifeassist.org.

TUESDAY: The German Shepherd Club of San Diego, a nonprofit organization, holds obedience training class every Tuesday evening in the parking lot of the San Diego Zoo. Classes, for German shepherds only, start at 6:30 p.m. and are $50 for a six-week session. Information: (619) 640-8269.

Q&AMP;A STEVE DALE

DEAR STEVE: I'm getting a rabbit for my 12-year-old daughter for Easter. I believe she's able to take care of a pet; she's very responsible. Can you tell me more about rabbit care?

–S.F., Louisville, Ky.

ANSWER: Please understand that no matter how responsible your daughter is, she's still 12. A pet should ultimately be the responsibility of the adults in the family. Too many families impulsively purchase a rabbit around Easter, and within a year or two they drop the bunny at a shelter because it's not the pet they expected, or the novelty has worn off.

"Rabbits aren't the kind of pets people think they are," says Margo Demello, author of "Stories Rabbits Tell: A Natural and Cultural History of a Misunderstood Creature." "They're absolutely not a pet for beginners, or people who want to keep the rabbit in a hutch or a cage all of the time. Children think rabbits like to be cuddled and carried around all the time. Most rabbits don't like that at all.

"Adolescent rabbits are not, generally, especially 'into' people, they can be destructive and they can be stubborn. As they age, they mellow, and some are very affectionate. Most, though, are pretty independent. They're smarter than people think they are. Of course, they're darn cute."

I try to be a good source for information, but what you need is a book about rabbit care, not a newspaper column. I can recommend two more books: "House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit," by Marinell Harriman, and "Rabbits for Dummies," by Audrey Pavia. Another super resource is www.rabbits.org.

Maybe, for now, the entire family should check out these books. Meanwhile, for Easter, make your bunny chocolate.

My dwarf rabbit sometimes chatters her teeth when I pet her, or when I'm walking by. I'm getting worried it's because she might have overgrown teeth, though she's only 5 months old. My parents don't have the money to take Suki to the vet. Can you help?

– A.K., St. George, Utah

When a rabbit's teeth don't line up, so the pet cannot wear them down, this is called a malocclusion. This sometimes occurs as a result of an injury, but more often, affected rabbits are this way. As the teeth continue to grow, the result can be a serious infection. Ultimately, these rabbits starve to death because they're unable to eat when the teeth grow right into the jaw.

You do need to see a vet. Many veterinarians only charge a few dollars (about $6 to $12), since filing their teeth is an easy procedure.

Actually, there's even better news. Author Margo Demello says rabbits purr much the same as cats do. The mechanism is a bit different, and generally the purrs aren't as loud, but the "purring" is a sign of contentment in rabbits, as in cats. (Purrs in cats may also be a means of dealing with stress.) Often, rabbits' teeth chatter in conjunction with the purr. If your rabbit enjoys being petted, it could be your only problem is that Suki is very happy when you're near.

Since she's such a young rabbit, consider where Suki is when her teeth chatter. It's conceivable she's merely cold.

While a basic physical is a good idea for any new pet, and establishing a rapport with a vet is equally as important, a veterinarian familiar with rabbits does need to check Suki's mouth for a possible malocclusion.

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he will answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. 60611. Send e-mail to petworld@aol.com. Include your name, city and state.